Learning link to juvenile crime

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There is almost a 100 per cent chance that inmates of juvenile jails will have been suspended from school before they turn 15. And most score so poorly in academic tests they should be treated as intellectually disabled.

The findings are contained in a briefing sent to all NSW judges on the Young People in Custody Health Survey, which involved the Juvenile Justice Department, Corrections Health Service and the University of Sydney.

It found the typical inmate has a clinical disorder, comes from a broken home, has experienced some form of abuse or neglect and has been a bully.

The average age for leaving school was 14, with 25 per cent departing in year 8 and 33 per cent in year 9.

More than 80 per cent had not attended school in the six months before they were incarcerated.

More than 90 per cent of the 223 boys surveyed in 2003 had been suspended from school and all 19 girls had been suspended.

Those involved "did not find education rewarding" and had "difficulty comprehending, problem solving and communicating using language or numbers".

"Many of the results on the academic tests were consistent with results expected of a population with an intellectual disability," said the report in the Judicial Officers' Bulletin.

Only 37 per cent recorded scores at a low average or better standard and figures for reading (28 per cent) and spelling (30 per cent) were also poor.

The survey also examined mental health, risk behaviour and the history of injuries and disabilities.

It found one in five had injected drugs in the past 12 months and 52 per cent had a substance abuse disorder.

Once inside, 68 per cent had been hurt by a fellow detainee in the previous year, with 36 per cent reporting a head injury in which they blacked out or became unconscious.

The judges were also told 32 per cent had mild hearing loss, and much higher rates of hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases.

Their family background was often disadvantaged, with 43 per cent having had a parent serve time in prison.

One in three was not living at home and 10 per cent were parents themselves.

The director of Psychological and Specialist Services at the Juvenile Justice Department, Mark Allerton, said those working in the area should have skills in handling those with intellectual, learning and health-related disabilities.

"Perhaps the most important implications related to how to communicate with young people in custody. Hearing and learning difficulties can lead to preventable behavioural problems."